The Metropolitan Police have raided greater than 120 retailers suspected of promoting stolen items within the power’s largest ever crackdown on shoplifting.
Officers arrested 32 folks and seized hundreds of things, together with meals, make-up and electrical units, value lots of of hundreds of kilos.
Greater than 300 officers had been concerned within the blitz over two days this month focusing on shops suspected of promoting items stolen from main retailers at discounted costs.
9 retailers have been served with closure notices as a part of Operation Zoridon.
Superintendent Luke Baldock mentioned: “Shoplifting just isn’t a victimless crime and the gangs concerned are organised and have hyperlinks to medicine and violence.
“Rogue shopkeepers who trade in stolen goods are funding criminal activity and driving up costs for everyone.
“They’re retaining thieves in enterprise on the expense of hard-working, law-abiding retailers.”
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Pic: Met Police
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Pic: Met Police
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Pic: Met Police
Seven folks had been arrested and round 2,000 telephones seized in a raid on a store in Woolwich, southeast London.
Police body-worn footage reveals officers getting into the shop earlier than prying open an workplace door to find “loads and loads and loads” of suspected stolen units in cupboards.
A room hidden behind a wall panel within the basement was additionally discovered to comprise extra telephones and different units, whereas a secret compartment contained round £50,000 value of gaming consoles.
Apple confirmed among the telephones, equipment and packaging had been pretend.
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Officers pry open workplace door. Pic: Met Police
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Officers discover Waterstones umbrellas in off-licence. Pic: Met Police
Different footage launched by police reveals officers discovering razor blades, Starbucks journey cups, umbrellas from Waterstones and LEGO units being bought in an off-licence in Willesden, northwest London.
Three folks had been arrested and the store was issued with a closure order from London Fireplace Brigade.
The Met mentioned the power is working with companies to crack down on probably the most prolific shoplifters throughout the capital and have solved 92% extra shoplifting circumstances this 12 months.
Officers on a stakeout operation within the Co-Op department in Homerton Excessive Avenue, north London, had been filmed on CCTV pouncing on masked thieves as they carried out a raid in December final 12 months.
One of many criminals is seen being tackled in midair as he jumps from the counter earlier than touchdown on a stack of beer containers.
Residence Secretary Shabana Mahmood mentioned: “Shop theft is a scourge that tears at the fabric of communities.
“Rising up with mother and father who owned a nook store, I do know first-hand that there’s nothing ‘low-level’ about these crimes.
“This government is putting 3,000 more neighbourhood police on our streets to catch these criminals and bring them to justice.”
